Denver School of the Arts

Denver School of the Arts (DSA) is a comprehensive, public, arts magnet school, serving grades 6–12. Located at 7111 Montview Boulevard in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, the school is operated by the Denver Public School District.

Denver School of the Arts
DSA Rotunda (On East Side of Building)
Address
7111 Montview Boulevard

Denver
,
Colorado

United States
Coordinates39°44′53.06″N 104°54′18.75″W
Information
TypeMagnet secondary
Established1991 (1991)
School districtDenver Public Schools
SuperintendentSusana Cordova
PrincipalAnthony McWright
Staff49.25 (FTE)[1]
Grades6–12
Enrollment1,097 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio22.27[1]
Color(s)Black and white, in addition to a separate color for each major   
MascotSiberian tiger
Websitedsa.dpsk12.org

The school has a dual mission of arts and academics, preparing students for a career in the arts or conservatory study as well as a pursuit of higher education.

DSA currently offers 11 art majors – bands, creative writing, dance & movement, guitar, orchestra, piano, stagecraft & design, theatre, video cinema arts, visual arts, and vocal music.

History

Denver School of the Arts began as a concurrent program at Manual High School in the late 1980s, but was eventually transformed into a fully staffed school in the former Byers Middle School at 150 South Pearl Street – the former site of Byers Mansion.

During the 2003–2004 school year, DSA moved to its current location at 7111 E. Montview Boulevard, the former site of the W. Dale and W. Ida Houston Fine Arts Center built by the Colorado Women's College and later used by the Lamont School of Music.

DSA continues to provide rigorous academic and arts training to its students, and it consistently ranks among the top high schools in the state of Colorado.[2][3]

Students

DSA serves both middle school and high school students. Graduating class sizes are small, with approximately 140 students comprising the Class of 2018.

Audition process

DSA requires an audition for prospective students competing to join one of its eleven offered majors, which include creative writing, dance, instrumental music (bands, orchestra, piano, and guitar), stagecraft & design, theatre, video cinema arts, visual arts, and vocal music.

DSA maintains rigorous academic and artistic standards. Each student is required to maintain at least a 'B' letter grade in their major class as well as an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher. A student with deficiencies may be placed on artistic or academic probation, with the eventual possibility of losing his or her position at DSA.

Extracurricular activities

Clubs and organizations

Extracurricular activities include Tri-M Music Honor Society, International Thespian Society, National History Day, Destination Imagination, Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Black History Month, and Harry Potter Alliance. DSA has an active National Honor Society program, which emphasizes both academic excellence and community service. DSA also has an award-winning Speech & Debate team.

Performances

Each performing arts major holds its own performances throughout the year. The Theatre department holds an "All-School Musical" each year, wherein members of any major can audition for acting, ensemble, and pit orchestra roles. Musicals have included Chicago (2019-2020), Shrek The Musical (2018-2019), In the Heights (2017-2018), The Producers (2016-2017), and Oliver (2015-2016).

Majors

DSA offers majors in Guitar, Vocal Music, Piano, Creative Writing, Video Cinema Arts, Stagecraft and Design, Dance, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, and Theatre.[4] All majors are chosen at 6th grade except for Stagecraft and Design, which is only offered for 9th grade and above. Students may switch their major by going through that major's audition process, but a spot in that major is not guaranteed.[5]

Sports

Denver School of the Arts does not offer its own extracurricular sports programs, nor does it offer in-school physical education. DSA students are encouraged to participate in sports programs at other Denver high schools and middle schools. Many students at DSA play sports at the sister school of East High School or at their "home" high school.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Denver School of the Arts (080336001574)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  2. "How Does Denver School of the Arts Rank Among America's Best High Schools?". U.S. News & World Report. 2018.
  3. "Explore Denver School Of The Arts in Denver, CO". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  4. "Arts". dsa.dpsk12.org. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  5. "Denver School of the Arts | Change of Major Policy". Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  6. "Key & Peele". peabodyawards.com. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  7. "Actor From Lakewood Wins Tony Award For Role In 'Matilda'". June 10, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  8. Callwood, Brett (April 10, 2017). "Three Albums Later, the Flobots Have Perfected Protest Songwriting". Westword. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  9. "Mondo Guerra celebrates win on "Project Runway All Stars"". The Denver Post. March 22, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  10. "Ostrow: Denver actor Justine Lupe joins "Harry's Law"". The Denver Post. March 14, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  11. Murphy, Tom (August 19, 2015). "Former Air Dubai Singer Jon Shockness Debuts Kid Astronaut". Westword. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
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